Dancing Astronaut:

Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo outdid himself when he collaborated with the legendary Paul McCartney and Youth for “Out of Sight.” A rock n’ roll act at its heart, The Bloody Beetroots managed to get the Beatles icon to lend his voice to a grinding electro framework, a gamble that would pay off leading up to the release of Rifo’s second full length album HIDE. What may have seemed like an improper pairing at first was instead proven to be the collaboration of the 2013. In a year defined by legendary draft picks, Daft Punk can have Nile Rodgers; The Beetroots got Sir Paul McCartney.

39. Mord Fustang – Taito (Original Mix)

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What could be looked back on as the first of creative track of the year, Mord Fustang brought his bold production talents to 2013 with the early release of “Taito.” In returning from a relative studio hiatus, the sound designer painted a canvas of electronica with pure spontaneity, giving “Taito” infection with each twist and turn.

38. Chris Malinchak – So Good to Me (Original Mix)

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Chris Malinchak’s sing-songy original landed him on the map in a haze of misty-eyed sunshine. A high-quality production from the start, Malinchak’s breakthrough came just in time for Miami Music Week this past March and served as the daytime soundtrack to countless sun-soaked pool parties.

37. Alesso & Calvin Harris – Under Control (Original Mix)

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One collaboration this year warranted a “really?” response; as in, “really? that’s not even fair.” The teaming up of Alesso and Calvin Harris is in many ways a monopolization between the two most talented production hands in popular electronic music. Nonetheless, they came together for “Under Control.” While their collaboration didn’t throw many people off guard, that was due to such greatness being expected.

While Steve Angello had been garnering attention for his departure of Swedish House Mafia and his prominence as the engine behind dance music’s most respected record label, his best production effort of the year wasn’t one of his high-profile outings. Alongside Jacques Lu Cont, Steve quietly released a remix for Depeche Mode’s “Soothe My Soul,” reminding fans that house aficionado’s gritty roots couldn’t be relinquished. The Angello of old will never be conforming and will always be lingering to deliver a mean dance music: the case of his collaborative take on “Soothe My Soul” drove that statement home.

35. Audien – Wayfarer (Original Mix)

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All eyes were upon Audien entering 2013, and the undisputed artist to watch came into the year ready to live up to the hype. Asserting that he wouldn’t fold under the pressure, the newcomer release “Wayfarer” on Anjunabeats only days into his run. Audien’s most prestigious production of the year came as a win not only for himself, but for the merging of progressive house and trance. Talk about making a mark, “Wayfarer” gave Audien deserved recognition that drove his sound through the remaining 11 months.

34. Storm Queen – Look Right Through (MK DUB III Remix)

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Long time dance music icon MK re-established his presence in 2013 with his third touch on Storm Queen’s “Look Right Through.” Although originally remixed by MK numerous times in 2012, it wasn’t until the Dub III version saw a release on Ultra Records that the springy London bass track earned its proper place at the top of the UK charts. A pillar of the genre since the 80s when he came up in Detroit’s techno scene, MK has seen some chart success with production credits for Pitbull and Shakira, but the third time proved to be the charm here, solidfying the well-deserved reputation his career was overdue for.

33. Dannic – Clobber (Original Mix)

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Hardwell understudy and Revealed resident Dannic rose to the occasion as a rookie this year, and in more ways than just one. Climbing a successful and safe trajectory as an electro-house producer, he threw a wrench into things just when fans thought they had caught on to his signature sound. That was when he took to Toolroom for “Clobber.” Unlike and alike his previous efforts at the same time, Dannic’s most notable release of the year excelled in his schooling of boisterous energy while flaunting an even greater talent for percussion and groove. Bringing a sense of authenticity, “Clobber” boldly separated itself and its producer from a sea of orthodox behavior.

32. Afrojack – As Your Friend (Original Mix)

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Two Afrojack’s were present in 2013. There was the live event kingpin, main stage attraction, and one-and-only master of his own sound. That Afrojack lead his legion with the like of “Raybomb.” The other steered creatively away from that world and officially kicked off with “The Spark” as the first indicator of what his new album was sound like. In transition, Afrojack linked up with Chris Brown for “As Your Friend,” and stamped his Afrojack-Music trademark upon the likeness of pop culture in vein of “Take Over Control,” capturing nothing short of the dance titan’s greatest strength.

31. Sebjak & Marcus Schossow – Liceu (Original Mix)

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Another Top 50 track from Steve Angello’s SIZE imprint, Sebjak and Marcus Schossow’s “Liceu” earns the 31 spot on our countdown. A festival house production at its foundation, Sebjak and Schossow do well to separate themselves from the pack by defining their collaboration with shifty percussion and a classic trumpet section.